Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemical characteristics of Carboniferous volcanic rocks from the Wulungu-Luliang area, Junggar basin: constraints on magma source and tectonic setting

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Geochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 16 January 2016

Abstract

The Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the Wulungu-Luliang area are mainly andesites of medium- to high-K calc-alkalic series. Volcanic rock samples have relatively high alkali (Na2O + K2O = 4.7 % to 6.8 %) and low TiO2 contents (0.7 % to 0.9 %), relatively high MgO (2.5 % to 3.4 %) and Mg# (49.9 % to 67.1 %), high rare earth element (REE) contents, and relatively high K2O contents (1.7 % to 3.1 %). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show light REE enrichment ((La/Yb)N = 4.15 to 5.19) with weak Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.75 to 0.92). These samples are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements but relatively depleted in high field strength elements. The trace elements and REE patterns are similar to those of Setouchi and central Ryukyu high-Mg andesites, indicating a high-Mg andesite source. Relatively high Y contents (16.7 to 24.4 ppm), and relatively low Sr/Y ratios (17.2 to 38.8) and TiO2 contents (0.7 % to 0.9 %) exclude the possibility of slab melting. Low Sr/Nd (16.6 to 42.8), Ba/Th (66.4 to 266.8), and U/Th (0.2 to 0.3) indicate that the influence of slab-derived fluids is low. The ratios of Ce/Th (4.9–7.3), Ce/Pb (1.8–4.2), Ba/Rb (7.99–22.03), Ba/Th (66.4–266.8), and La/Sm (3.6–4.3) are similar to ratios found in subducting sediment melts. Relatively high ratios of K/Nb (1357–3258), Th/La (0.28–0.42), Zr/Nb (8.8–27.1), and especially Th/Nb (0.48–1.25) suggest that the magma was assimilated and contaminated by upper continental crust. These characteristics, along with the ratios of La/Yb, Sc/Ni, Th/Yb, Ta/Yb, Ce/P2O5, and Zr/TiO2, demonstrate that the earlier Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the Wulungu-Luliang area were generated in a continental island-arc setting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bailey JC (1981) Geochemical criteria for a refined tectonic discrimination of orogenic andesites. Chem Geol 32:139–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boynton WV (1984) Chapter 3–Cosmochemistry of the rare earth elements: meteorite studies. Developments in geochemistry 63–114

  • Defant MJ, Richerson PM et al (1991) Dacite genesis via both slab melting and differentiation: petrogenesis of La Yeguada volcanic complex, Panama. J Petrol 32:1101–1142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong LH, Qu X, Zhao TY et al (2012) Magmatic sequence of Early Palaeozoic granitic intrusions and its tectonic implications in north Altay orogen, Xinjiang. Acta Petrol Sin 28:2307–2316 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan Y, Zhou TF, Yuan F et al (2007) LA-ICP MS zircon age of Tasite pluton in Sawuer region of west Junggar, Xinjiang. Acta Petrol Sin 23:1901–1908 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Geng H, Sun M et al (2009) Geochemical, Sr–Nd and zircon U-Pb–Hf isotopic studies of Late Carboniferous magmatism in the West Junggar, Xinjiang: implications for ridge subduction? Chem Geol 266:364–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geng H, Sun M et al (2011) Geochemical and geochronological study of early Carboniferous volcanic rocks from the West Junggar: petrogenesis and tectonic implications. J Asian Earth Sci 42:854–866

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu LX, Hu SX, Yu CS, Wu CZ, Yan ZF (2001) Initiation and evolution of the Bogda subduction torn-type rift. Acta Petrol Sin 17:585–597 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao JR, Zhou DW, Liu YQ, Xing XJ (2006) Geochemistry and tectonic settings of Permian volcanic rocks in Santanghu basin, Xinjing. Acta Petrol Sin 22:189–198 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kay RW (1978) Aleutian magnesian andesites: melts from subducted Pacific Ocean crust. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 4:117–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kay SM, Ramos VA et al (1993) Evidence in Cerro Pampa volcanic rocks for slab-melting prior to ridge-trench collision in southern South America. J Geol 101:703–714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuang LC, Zhang YQ, Zha M, Chen ZH, Li L, Kong YH, Zhang Y (2013) Carboniferous tectonic setting and evolution in northern XinJiang, China. Acta Geol Sin 87:311–320 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JY (1995) Main characteristics and emplacement processes of the East Junggar ophiolites, Xinjiang, China. Acta Petrol Sin 11:73–84 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li D, He DF, Tang Y, Fan C, Kong YH (2012a) Genesis of early Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Dinan uplift in Junggar Basin: constraints to the closure time of Kalamaili Ocean. Acta Petrol Sin 28:2340–2354 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Liu YQ, Dong YP et al (2012b) The geochemical characteristics, geochronology and tectonic significance of the Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Santanghu area in northeastern Xinjiang, China. Sci China Earth Sci 42:1716–1728 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo JL, Hou LH, Jiang YQ et al (2012) Chronology and tectonic settings of igneous rocks and origin of volcanic reservoirs in Ludong area, eastern Junggar Basin. Acta Petrolei Sin 33:351–360 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald R, Hawkesworth CJ et al (2000) The Lesser Antilles volcanic chain: a study in arc magmatism. Earth Sci Rev 49:1–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao XL (2012) Research on tectonic lithofacies paleogeography and source rocks characteristics of the Carboniferous-Early Permian in the northern part of Junggar Basin.Xi’an: Northwest University (Master thesis), 1-71 (in Chinese with English abstract)

  • Martin H, Smithies RH et al (2005) An overview of adakite, tonalite trondhjemite granodiorite (TTG), and sanukitoid: relationships and some implications for crustal evolution. Lithos 79:1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller DGD, Rock NMS et al (1992) Geochemical discrimination between shoshonitic and potassic volcanic rocks in different tectonic settings: a pilot study. Miner Petrol 46:259–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce JA (1982) Trace element characteristics of lavas from destructive plate boundaries. Orog Andesites Relat Rocks 528–548

  • Plank T, Langmuir CH (1998) The chemical composition of subducting sediment and its consequences for the crust and mantle. Chem Geol 145:325–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plank T (2005) Constraints from thorium/lanthanum on sediment recycling at subduction zones and the evolution of the continents. J Petrol 46:921–944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rickwood PC (1989) Boundary lines within petrologic diagrams which use oxides of major and minor elements. Lithos 22:247–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shimoda G, Tatsumi Y et al (1998) Setouchi high-Mg andesites revisited: geochemical evidence for melting of subducting sediments. Earth Planet Sci Lett 160:479–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shinjo R (1999) Geochemistry of high Mg andesites and the tectonic evolution of the Okinawa Trough-Ryukyu arc system. Chem Geol 157:69–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song X, Zhou M, Cao Z, Robinson PT (2004) Late Permian rifting of the South China Craton caused by the Emeishan mantle plume. J Geol Soc 161:773–781 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern CR, Kilian R (1996) Role of the subducted slab, mantle wedge and continental crust in the generation of adakites from the Andean Austral Volcanic Zone. Contrib Miner Petrol 123:263–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Kohut E et al (2006) Subduction factory processes beneath the Guguan cross-chain, Mariana Arc: no role for sediments, are serpentinites important? Contrib Miner Petrol 151:202–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun SS, McDonough WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 42:313–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang HF, Su YP, Liu CQ et al (2007) Zircon U-Pb age of the plagiogranite in Kalamaili belt, Northern Xinjiang and its tectonic implications. Geotecton Metallog 31:110–117 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell Scientific Pub, Palo Alto 94

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang BY (2009) Study of Karamaili ophiolite complex and Jiangbasitao Volcanic Rocks in East Junggar of Xinjiang.Xi’an:Chang’an University (Master thesis) 1-58(in Chinese with English abstract)

  • Wang K, Chung S et al (1999) Post-collisional magmatism around northern Taiwan and its relation with opening of the Okinawa Trough. Tectonophysics 308:363–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Li Z et al (2011) Late Triassic high-Mg andesite/dacite suites from northern Hohxil, North Tibet: geochronology, geochemical characteristics, petrogenetic processes and tectonic implications. Lithos 126:54–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang FM, Liao QA, Fan GM et al (2014) Geological implications of unconformity between upper and middle Devonian, and 346.8 Ma post-collision volcanic rocks in Karamaili, Xinjiang. J Earth Sci 32:1243–1257 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Winchester JA, Floyd PA (1977) Geochemical discrimination of different magma series and their differentiation products using immobile elements. Chem Geol 20:325–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu XQ, Liu DL, Wei GQ, Li J, Li ZS (2009) Geochemical characteristics and tectonic settings of Carboniferous volcanic rocks from Ludong-Wucaiwan area, Junggar basin. Acta Petrol Sin 25:55–66 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang GX, Li YJ, Tong LL et al (2010) Genesis and geochemical characteristics of the Kalamaili potassic basalt in the East Junggar, Xinjiang and tectonic implication. Acta Petrolei Sin 26:2345–2356 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin JY, Chen W, Yuan C et al (2013) Ages and tectonic implication of Late Paleozoic plutons in the West Junggar, North Xinjiang: evidence from LA-ICPMS zircon geochronology. Geochimica 42:414–429 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yogodzinski GM, Kay RW et al (1995) Magnesian andesite in the western Aleutian Komandorsky region: implications for slab melting and processes in the mantle wedge. Geol Soc Am Bull 107:505–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao ZH, Guo ZJ, Han BF, Wang Y (2006) The geochemical characteristics and tectonic-magmatic implications of the latest-Paleozoic volcanic rocks from Santanghu basin, eastern Xinjiang, northwest China. Acta Petrol Sin 22:199–214 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Liu, Peiming Zhou & Qizhi Wang

  2. The West Research Center, Company of Sinopec Shengli Oilfield, Dongying, 257002, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China

    Kuihua Zhang & Guanlong Zhang

Authors
  1. Wei Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kuihua Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guanlong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peiming Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Qizhi Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wei Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, W., Zhang, K., Zhang, G. et al. Geochemical characteristics of Carboniferous volcanic rocks from the Wulungu-Luliang area, Junggar basin: constraints on magma source and tectonic setting. Chin. J. Geochem. 34, 515–524 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-015-0069-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-015-0069-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation